Walter White and Hannah Blazey

Thorpe St Andrew Parish Church
The church, which was once reported to be the smallest church in Norfolk, was the subject of a Vestry meeting in 1862. It was decided at this meeting that the church needed to be enlarged and then in 1864 it was a agreed that a new one should be built. The new church was consecrated on 31st May 1866 by the Bishop of Norwich [just in time for Walter and Hannah's wedding the following year]. The remains of the medieval church still exist in front of the Parish Church.

Walter White (b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe, Norfolk), youngest son of William White and Ann Francis, married Hannah Blazey (b. 17 Jun 1845 in Heigham, Norfolk), daughter of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns on Sunday, 31 Mar 1867 at the Parish church of St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich. Witnesses to their marriage were Samuel Blazey, the bride's brother, Hannah White, the bridegroom's sister and an Elizabeth Blazey (unsure which).

Walter and Hannah shortly added two children to the family:

1. Walter White, b. in the 3rd quarter of 1869
2. Laura Elizabeth White b. 15 Oct 1870

In 1871, Walter White (26), Gardener, Hannah White (26), Walter White (1) and Laura White (5 months) were living at Thorpe Grove, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrew. In the next-door household was a Robert Knivett (53), also a gardener. Also living at Thorpe Grove, was William Birkbeck (1832–1897), banker and landowner, whose former property in Thunder Lane, now named The Cottage is currently a pub and restaurant. One presumes these gardeners were employed on Birkbeck's then quite large estate.

Walter White, Gardener, of Globe Street, Heigham, Norwich, died, aged just 26 on 5 Jan 1872 (M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 130) from Smallpox. The death certificate states that H White [Hannah] was present at his death. As yet, I've been unable to work out what happened to Hannah, whether she remarried; I've found no death record, but feel, sadly, that's more likely.

In 1881, Walter and Laura, were living with Hannah's widowed mother.

David Huke and Hannah White

St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4006187

David Huke (bap. 3 Jun 1838 in Burgh, St Peter, where he'd lived with his parents at Hukes Corner), Shoemaker, son of Edward Huke, Blacksmith, and Ann Taylor, married Hannah White (bap. 23 Aug 1840), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, at Thorpe St Andrew on 10 Jan 1869. The witnesses were Walter White and Hannah White, the bride's brother and his wife.

Hannah already had an illegitimate daughter, registered as Alice Roxby White in 1864 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 196. When Alice married in 1884, she listed her father as James Roxby. (There was one James Roxby in Norfolk, born in 1850. I'll do the maths for you: it would have involved Hannah 'seducing' a 13 year old lad.) However, at her sister Maria's wedding in 1863, Hannah White was one of the witnesses, the other was a John Roxby, who is a more likely prime suspect. (There was a John Roxby, born around 1833, who would fit. He married someone else in 1865.)

David and Hannah Huke added four children:

1. Lucy Ann Huke b. 1869 S Quarter in BLOFIELD Volume 04B Page 180, bap. 1 Feb 1870 in Thorpe-next-Norwich (Thorpe St Andrew).
2. Minnie Huke b. 18 Apr 1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 191, bap. 28 Jun 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died in Reigate, Surrey, in 1914 (see below).
3. Herbert Huke b. 1872 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 197, bap. 11 Apr 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died at 1½ in 1874 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 132 and was buried on 24 Apr 1874, also in Thorpe Episcopi.
4. Albert Huke b. 16 Mar 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 195, bap. 17 Mar 1875 in Thorpe Episcopi. Died aged 3 weeks in 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 141 and was buried in Thorpe Episcopi on 10 Apr 1875.

Alice, born 18 May 1864, was also baptised on 28 Jun 1874 in Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew), her surname listed as "White or Huke".

The baptisms confirm David Huke's occupation as Shoemaker.

In 1871, living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew, Blofield, Norfolk, were David Huke (32) Shoemaker from Burgh, St Peter; Hannah Huke (30) from Mattishall, Alice Huke (6) and Lucy Huke (1).

David Huke died, at 41, in 1879 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 131 and was buried at St. Andrew Episcopi on 1 Oct 1879.

In 1881, Hannah Huke (40), Widow, Washwoman from Mattishall, was living at Red Lion Square, Thorpe-Next-Norwich, with Alice White (16) Washwoman; Lucy Huke (11) and Minnie Huke (9).

Hannah Huke died, at 47, on 3 Feb 1888 M Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 153 and was buried on 8 Feb 1888, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

The Downham Market Gazette of 15 May 1880, reports that Arthur Ellgood, Labourer, of Thorpe St Andrew's was summoned by Alice White for assaulting her on 1 May 1880. The defendant did not appear, and the case was heard in his absense. He was fined 5s and costs 16s 6d. So, it was some surprise to read that, Alice Roxby White (20) married Arthur Elgood (23) Labourer, son of William Elgood, Lime Burner at Thorpe St Andrew on 22 June 1884. 

The couple had one daughter, Lucy Hannah Elgood b. 16 Mar 1888 J Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 218 and bap. 15 Apr 1888 at Thorpe Episcopi.

Arthur Elgood died, aged 29, 1889 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 126 and was buried on 4 Dec 1889, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

In 1891, Alice Elgood (26) Widow, Laundress, was at Tan Yard, Thorpe Next Norwich, with daughter, Lucy Elgood (3) and Minnie Huke (19) Sister. 

Alice Elgood (27) Widow, married Walter Henry Lane (27) Bachelor, again at Thorpe Episcopi, on 12 Apr 1892. This time she listed her father as David Huke, Shoemaker (Deceased). Walter Henry's occupation was 'Agent'.

On 1 Feb 1883, aged 19, at Great Yarmouth, Walter Henry Lane had joined the Norfolk Regiment. He deserted on 16 Jun 1883; re-joined on 7 Sep 1883 and was imprisoned, but eventually settled down to achieve 5 years 83 days service and promotion to Corporal. He served in India, was awarded a medal with clasp, Burma 1887-89 and was pensioned on 17 Sep 1890.

In 1901, Walter Henry Lane (36) Carpenter, Alice Lane (36) and Lucy Lane (13) [Elgood], were living at 30, Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, Edmonton.

In 1911, still at 30 Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, were Walter Henry Lane (listed as 50) Carpenter, Alice Lane (48) Charwoman, Lucy Hannah Lane (23) Boot boxer and William Smith (22) Door Man at Boot Shop, Lodger.

Lucy H Elgood married William H Smith, in Edmonton, in Q4 1911. 

Walter Henry Lane died at 49, in 1914 J Qtr in EDMONTON.

In 1921, Alice Lane (57) Widow, whose occupation was listed as 'Washing', was living at 19, Highweek Road, Tottenham. Also at that same address were Lucy Smith (33) Widow (one imagines that her husband, William H Smith, had been lost during WWI); Minnie Smith (9) and William Smith (7).

In 1939, Alice Lane (b. 18 May 1864), Widow, of Private Means, was living, at 15 Highwood Road, Tottenham.

Alice Lane died at 77, in 1942 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03A Page 1157.

• Minnie Huke of The Brabazon Home Reigate (Brabazon Home of Comfort. Founded to care for chronic or incurable invalids among the members of the Girls' Friendly Society who might otherwise face ending their days in the workhouse infirmary) died aged 43, in 1914 J Quarter in REIGATE Volume 02A Page 252 at was buried on 24 Apr 1914 at St Mary's Church, Reigate.
• Lucy Huke was listed in 1914-1915 at 13 Stonebridge Road, Tottenham. Lucy Ann Huke, died at 61, in 1932 M Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03A Page 934, having never married.

William White and Ann Francis

All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk

William White (bap. 20 Jul 1806 at St Margaret, Garvestone), only child, son of Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married Anne Francis (b. 3 Dec 1802 in Mattishall Burgh), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Homes, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk on 7 May 1826. 

Records exist for this couple having nine children:

1. Mariann White bap. 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall
2. Anne White bap. 16 May 1830 in Mattishall (assume died in infancy)
3. Anne White bap. 23 Oct 1831 in Mattishall 
4. William White (b. 1834) bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
5. Sarah White bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
6. Elizabeth White bap. 27 May 1838 in Mattishall
7. Hannah White bap. 23 Aug 1840 in Mattishall
8. Maria White bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall
9. Walter White, b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe 

In 1841, William (35) and Anne (35) were living 'Near the Church, Mattishall' with children: Mariann - listed as Mary - (14), Ann (9), William (7), Sarah (5), Elizabeth (3) and Hannah (0), as well as an Ann Clark (55).

By 1851, they had moved to Thorpe Road, St Andrew Thorpe with William (44) Gardener, Anne (47), Ann (19), William (17), also employed as a gardener, Hannah (10), Maria (8) and Walter (5).

In 1861, at Red Lion Hill, Thorpe were William (54) Gardener, Anne (54), Hannah (26), Maria (18) and Walter (15).

In 1871, William White (64) Gardener, and Anne White (68) were in Thorpe Street, Thorpe St Andrew, with granddaughter, Mary Ann Watson (13).

William White died just 16 days after the 1871 census was taken, aged 64, on 18 April 1871 and was buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich.

16 Oct 1871: The will of William White late of Thorpe St. Andrew in the County of Norfolk, Gardener, who died 18 April 1871 at Thorpe St. Andrew was proved at Norwich by Francis Anthony Martyn of the City of Norwich Upholsterer one of the Executors. Effects under £100. (Francis Anthony Martyn was William's son-in-law, then married to daughter, Ann.)

In 1881, Ann White (78), widow, was living with her daughter Ann Martin (sic) (49), also then widowed, in Lothian Street, Norwich. Ann White died in 1889, aged 86 and is buried with her husband at the Rosary Cemetery. After contacting a local history group in in Thorpe St Andrew , I was contacted by former Sheriff of Norwich, Nick Williams, whose wife had seen my question and who provided photos and even a plan, which made the plot very easy to find. Interesting to read that the site was a former market garden and is "... also a haven for flora and fauna", as William White, as well as his sons, William and Walter, were all gardeners by profession. Ideal.

The Rosary Cemetery itself is notable, nay unique, too, as it was the first non-denominational cemetery in England. Laid out in 1819, it celebrated it's 200th Anniversary in 2019. Nick Williams, who is also involved in The Friends of the Rosary Cemetery, has now written several books on the burial site and here talks about The History of Rosary Cemetery. 

Headstone for William White and Ann Francis (left) Plot D3/578